Archaeological Geophysics
Airborne LiDAR

One of the simplest techniques used in archaeological assessment is detailed topographic mapping; 'bumps and humps' in the ground surface can be due to buried archaeological features. Traditionally topographic mapping has been carried out using ground-based survey instruments such as engineer's levels and total stations. These instruments provide accurate data but are slow to operate and ground coverage takes considerable time. Latterly topographic surveys have been carried out using survey grade global positioning systems (GPS) which have increased ground area that can be covered on a daily basis.

In recent years topographic surveys at monument and landscape scales, their analysis and interpretation have been revolutionized with the advent of LiDAR and in particular Airborne LiDAR Scanning (ALS)

LiDAR is an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging. In airborne mode LiDAR describes the technique of firing laser pulses in a beam or swath of beams from an aircraft towards the ground and measuring the time taken for the complex pattern of reflected echoes from ground points or features to return to sensors in the aircraft. If the position of the LiDAR sensors is accurately known using precision GPS then the location and height of the points or features on the ground can be determined to an accuracy of 10 to 15 cm or better.

Principles of LiDAR (after Holden, 2002)

Depending on the nature of the survey area, the determination of the location and height requires complex data processing procedures which must take into account multiple echoes from objects such as buildings, trees, foliage etc. Analysis of the echoes results in the creation of several types of models of the ground surface with a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) being commonly used in archaeological assessments. The DEM is also called a 'bare ground model' as it represents the ground surface without any objects such as plants or buildings. DEM data can be computer-processed to visualize the topography of landscapes and archaeological and geological features that lie within them.